Bridle



(No Model.)

M. STAPLETON.

EMULE. No. 356,668. Patented Jan. 25, 1887.

' @www @5,4

UNITED STATES PATnNT trice MATT STAPLETON, OF STEVENS POINT, WISCGNSIN,

BRIDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 356,668. dated January 25, 1887.

Application tiled Muy 20, 1886.

To @Zi whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Marr S'raPLnroN, of Stevens Point, in the county of Portage and State of lVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bridles, and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which forni a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for retaining the bit of a bridle in a horses mouth without a headstall or straps.

The construction of my device is explained by a reference to the accompanying drawing, which represents aperspective view'thereof.

In the drawing, A represents the bit of the bridle, and B B the rein-rings, which parts are of the ordinary construction, and may be varied in style or shape to correspond with the style of the harness with which they are used.

The bit is retained in the horses mouth by the metallic keeper C, which, when the bit is placed in the horses mouth, is drawn downward beneath his lower jaw, when the bit is moved back in place near the upper part of the liorses mouth, and is thus retained by the joint action ofthe keeper C and the upwardlyprojecting lug D. The lug D is adapted to bear against the under side within the cavity of the horses under jaw, and it, with `the keeper, is drawn up and held in position by Serial No. 202,702. (No model.)

the spiral springs E E. The springs E E are compressed between the bit A andthe tensionnuts FF as the keeper C is drawn downward; but when said keeper is released it is drawn up against the horses jaw by said springs, the tension ot' which is such as to securel y hold the bit and attachments in place. When desirous to increase or diminish the tension of the springs to conform to horses of various sizes, this end is readily accomplished by turning said nuts upward or downward upon the arms G G of said keeper, the tension being increased by turning the nuts downward or decreased by turning them upward.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a bridle, the combination, with the bit A, of the movable metallic keepers C, springs E E, and tension-nuts F F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a bridle, the combination, with the bit A and retainingkeeper C, provided with means for holding itin Contact with the horses jaw, of the lug D, adapted to engage within the cavity of a horses lower jaw, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aii'ix my signatur-ein presence ol two witnesses.

MATT STAPLETON.

Witnesses:

J As. B. Enwln, E. B. INMAN. 

